HOUSTON – Meteorologists at the National Hurricane Center announced Thursday they are forecasting an above-average Atlantic hurricane season this year.
The NHC forecast calls for 13 to 19 named storms, with six to 10 of those becoming hurricanes and three to six of those hurricanes becoming major, meaning Category 3 or higher.
Forecasters cited warm water temperatures, light trade winds, weak vertical wind shear, an active African monsoon and the absence of an El Niño as factors in the expected above-average season.
The NHC forecast does not make any predictions about landfalling systems.
The above-average forecast echoes similar forecasts released earlier this year.
The season officially starts on June 1, but the first storm of the season already formed off the East Coast last week. Tropical Storm Arthur only lasted about three days before dissipating.
Here is a list of names that will be used during the 2020 Atlantic season.